*How To Properly Fill Out a Personal Check

How to Properly Fill Out a Personal Check:

Although many people fill out checks daily, there are still checks that are filled out incorrectly all the time. These instructions are to help educate and instruct check writers how to write a check properly. What a lot of people do not know is that a financial institution may return a check back to the issuer because it’s not filled out correctly, therefore it can not be honored.

Step #1 – Personal Information

First, make sure that all your information located in the top left hand corner is correct. I.e. name, address, phone number. (See figure A)

A) if you are writing a counter check or temporary check your bank issued you, you may have to write in all your personal information on the top left hand corner like your name, address, phone number, and your bank account number on the bottom of the check.

Step #2 – Date

Step #3 – Pay to the order of

Where it says, “pay to the order of” you need to fill in the name of the person or business you are writing the check to. Be sure to get the name spellings correct.(See Figure A)

In the box at the end of the “pay to the order of” line you need to write out the amount numerically. Example: 21.53 (See figure A)

NOTE:

Make sure the amount is correct so you do not have to scribble or cross anything out because that may cause confusion at the bank. (See figure B) If you do happen to make a mistake, depending on the severity of the mistake you may need to write out another check.John Doe

1234 First Ave. Date 10/1/08 SLC, UT – 84000

801-123-4567

21.53

Pay to the

order of Thrifty Super Market

Twenty one and 53/100 cents

For Groceries

John DoeJohn Doe

1234 First Ave. Date 10/1/08 SLC, UT – 84000

801-123-4567

21.00 21.53

Pay to the

order of Thrifty Super Market

Twenty one and 53/100 cents

For Groceries

John Doe

Figure A (correct) Figure B (incorrect)

On the line under the “pay to the order of” line and the amount box, you need to write in the amount of the check. Using the same example as above in direction 4 (21.53) you would write out: Twenty One and 53/100. One other common and correct way to write out that same amount would be: Twenty One dollars and fifty three cents.

NOTE:

Both amount in box and amount written out on line need to match each other. There can be no difference or the bank may refuse the check, and return it back to whom ever wrote it. See figure C for an example of amounts being incorrect.

John Doe

1234 First Ave. Date 10/1/08 SLC, UT – 84000

801-123-4567

21.53

Pay to the

order of Thrifty Super Market

Twenty one and 00/100 cents

For Groceries

John Doe

Figure C (incorrect)

Step #6 – Signature

On the bottom right hand corner there is a line for your signature. You need to sign your name on that line. That signature means that you have approved everything on that check.

(Refer back to figure A)

Step #7 (optional) Memo

As stated, this is an optional direction. There is a line on the bottom left hand corner of the check that says “for” or “memo” that is a place for you to write out a small memo describing what the check was for. Example: For: Groceries (Refer back to figure A)

Give your check to the person or business you are writing it to.

After these directions are completed, it is optional how you track and log the checks you have written. For directions on how to log and track written checks, please see